Wednesday, June 12

Kitten Forever, Prissy Clerks, and Buzzers

Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis

10 p.m., free, 21+

Need an exit strategy for dealing with this dreary, endlessly rainy week? Get your bones rattled by raucous punk trio Kitten Forever and basement noise duo Buzzers, who will bookmark the pristine melodies of Prissy Clerks.

Thursday, June 13

Matt Wilson and John Munson

Aster Cafe, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $10, all ages

The Twilight Hours' Matt Wilson and John Munson return to the Aster for their semi-regular residency (they've been playing the second Tuesday of each month), this time with support from author and songwriter Dylan Hicks, who will open.

The Deceitful Lapwings

Nomad World Pub, Minneapolis

9 p.m., free, 21+

Experimental pop project the Lapwings continue their month-long "Minneseries" residency at the Nomad with support from Nightenghales (who shares two members with the Deceitful Lapwings) and ambient artist Paragraphs (a.k.a. Chris Polley, the host of Radio K's instrumental show Nocturnity).

Friday, June 14

Sims and Astronautalis

First Avenue, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $15, 18+

#AstroSims is upon us. Rappers Sims and Astronautalis will play a lengthy, collaborative set with a live band to celebrate their first time headlining the Mainroom, with support from opening acts Greg Grease and power hip-hop trio Mixed Blood Majority (Crescent Moon from Kill the Vultures, Joe Horton from No Bird Sing, and Lazerbeak from Doomtree).

Snöbarn Album-Release Show

Clyde Iron Works, Duluth

8 p.m., $10, 18+

Electrified folk band Snöbarn (“snow children” in Swedish) are set to release their debut album, Hand by Hand, with an art show and concert at Duluth’s Clyde Iron Works. The band has always been led by the duo of Ariane Norrgard and Gaelynn Lea, but they’ve recently expanded their sound and are currently a full 5-piece band. Ariane sings and plays electric guitar and piano, Gaelynn plays fiddle and sings the harmonies, Bryan (Lefty) Johnson and Chad Erlemeier keep the rhythm, and George Ellsworth completes the sound on bass and keys. The band recorded their album at Sacred Heart with production assistance from Alan Sparhawk and engineer Eric Swanson. Sean Elmquist of Chaperone Records mastered the album. Friday’s release show kicks off with an art show and the debut of Snöbarn’s first music video. Music starts at 8:30pm with performances by Yester, Snöbarn, and Charlie Parr. A second album release show is scheduled at the Icehouse in Minneapolis June 15th and will be Snöbarn’s Twin Cities debut.

Stone Arch Bridge Festival

St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis

7 p.m., free, all ages

The weekend-long Stone Arch Bridge Festival kicks off Friday night with a free show in Water Power Park, which will include sets by Apollo Cobra and Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps. Full lineup here.

Low Film Screening and Performance

Zinema and Red Star Lounge, Duluth

7 p.m., $12, 21+ (film is all ages)

Duluth’s Zinema 2 will play host to a screening of How to Quit Smoking, a documentary that follows the career of Low and its 20 year relationship with director Philip Harder. The film screening begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a performance from Low at Red Star Lounge.

Hot Freaks Album-Release Show

Cause, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $5, 21+

Get ready: With little warning, Minneapolis pop rock band Hot Freaks just released their debut album, Hot Freaks, and reportedly have even more recorded music on the way after that. At their album release show, they'll be joined by Shakin Babies and Rupert AngelEyes.

Saturday, June 15

Stone Arch Bridge Festival

St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis

12 p.m., free, all ages

The three-day-long Stone Arch Festival will showcase over 40 bands across three stages on St. Anthony Main, overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown Minneapolis. Full lineup here.

Rock the Garden

Walker Art Center, Minneapolis

3 p.m., $55-$200, all ages

Minnesota natives Low and Bob Mould will join a lineup of national acts Dan Deacon, Silversun Pickups, and Metric for this year's Rock the Garden. And surprise! A few last minute tickets have been released. Grab yours here.

Rock the Garden After Party with Chastity Brown and Michael Kiwanuka

First Avenue, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $10 members/$15 GA, 18+

For the first time this year, the Current and the Walker will keep the party going after Rock the Garden with an additional show at First Avenue. Folk-blues artist Chastity Brown opens at 10 p.m., followed by Michael Kiwanuka at 11 and DJ Jake Rudh at 12:15 a.m.

M.anifest with Ashley DuBose

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

7 p.m., $15 adv/$18 door, all ages

Ghana-born, Minneapolis-based rapper M.anifest returns to the stage to preview songs off his forthcoming Apae EP, which is due out later this year. Talented young neo-soul singer Ashley DuBose (who I interviewed here) will open.

Strange Names and Red Mountain

Red Star, Duluth

10 p.m., free, 21+

Minneapolis based Strange Names joins local folk/pop/freak/cult Red Mountain Saturday at Red Star. Strange Names makes their Duluth debut while Red Mountain continue to make advances in the world of brass infected hippie dance movements. Bands note that: Dressing strange is ALWAYS a good idea, that being said: DRESS STRANGELY.

Sunday, June 16

Stone Arch Bridge Festival

St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis

12 p.m., free, all ages

The three-day-long Stone Arch Festival will showcase over 40 bands across three stages on St. Anthony Main, overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown Minneapolis. Full lineup here.

Gingko and All Tomorrow's Petty

Icehouse, Minneapolis

8:30 p.m., $7, 21+

Josh Grier of Tapes 'n Tapes will bring his new band, Gingko, back to Icehouse for a show that also features beloved Tom Petty band All Tomorrow's Petty.

Compiled with additional help from Duluth Local Show host Walt Dizzo.